*Note the following creative writing is part of this entry and will help explain the creatures depicted in more detail.*

They are a race known as the Yan-tak (yawn-talk) Unicorns however they appear to be closer related to, and possibly a way form of cousin (ancestor?) to the Kirin. This may help explain the body looking more deer-like as the Oriental unicorn was more goat/deer-ish then the western style one...however this is speculation. No satisfactory proof of the existence of either the Kirin or the Yan-Tak as ever been found.

Research / Field Notes:

"I saw a strange creature last night while amidst the In-Between. It was only for a few moments, but the vision is still quite clear..."

This is how most 'reports' of the Yan-Tak have begun. They are also known as "Sleep Stallions" for very few whom have ever claimed to see one, has been able to prove a lucid state of mind during the encounter and it is often categorized as a vivid dream, however, a lot of suspicions has risen concerning these creatures as more reports are taken from varied groups of people who have no apparent connection to one another. Some think mass hallucination is a possibility, but it has generated enough interest for a more cataloged research study.

(1) The Bejeweled Eyes: All the encounters with these creatures suggests very unusual construction of the animals eyes. They appear to be multi-sided, like a cut jewel, and have a sheen not unlike gemstone. Their pupil is said to resemble an oblong oval-like shape, not dissimilar from the rectangular pupil of a common albino equine. Though apparently set slightly higher and deeper then a common equine, these Yan-Tak creatures eyes seem to slightly protrude from the socket as if actually made from a gem that is set in their skull.

(2) The Toe-Baring Hoof Appendage: The feet of the Yan-Tak appear to be hooves, much like any modern day equine, however the front of their hoof bares three toe/claw-like appendages which seem to be slightly flexible, which is assumed for a better grip on rocky or uneven terrain, and may even given them better propulsion and momentum when the animal is running. It is thought that a Yan-Tak's track could be mistaken for that of a common equine who's print has been marred by another animals and is easily overlooked. This would explain the lack of any solid tracks from this animal.

(3) The Yan-Tak Elder Silhouette: Most Yan-Tak's that have been reported appear to be female, however this remains unconfirmed. In almost all reports of those who have claimed to "see" the male, or Stallion, it was never more then a shadow. Many have began to call this silhouetted creature an "elder" for the slight differences in it's anatomical appearance, saying that it seems to have larger, and longer horns then the other Yan-Tak's, a longer, almost prehensile-like tail, longer chin and ruff-fur and mane, and possibly, though not in every report, spikes or horns from the area of the withers, which has as yet been unreported on any of the other members of the species.

Additional Information:

All Yan-Tak's have been reported to have "blade-like" appendages on their snout. It is unclear what purpose this serves the animal, however all manner of shapes have been described, though most commonly they arch back in a semi-crescent toward the animals ears and can be somewhat serrated in appearance. Several have claimed to witness Yan-Tak's with not only blades, but smaller horns farther up on the snout.

The coloring of the Yan-Tak's seems to vary just as much as that of the common equine. Reports of dapple grays to paints and palominos have been recorded, however there are some interesting differences from their patterns. To date, there has never been one sighting of a Yan-Tak that was of one unified color.

The Yan-Tak Unicorns have all been reported to have "lion-like" secondary manes that start around the mid-neck - wither area and wraps around their chest at a diagonal angle, as well as a "beard" that starts under the lower lip and continues down the center of their body and extends to between the forelimbs. This "ruff-mane" as it has come to be called, is almost always white, with the exception of those baring a paint pattern, and the foals/fawns, which are believed to be born dark and grow lighter with age.

The young of the species are reportedly easily mistaken for the offspring deer or elk and are usually tawny or "dirty grey" in color. The fawns/foals quickly developed basic sets of horns which are said to be shed near sexual maturity and replaced by the more impressive, and unique horns carried by the adults.

No two Yan-Tak's have ever been reported with the same type of horns upon their head, and have been reported to rage anywhere from those that rise straight up, to those that curl or arch, however none appear to branch like the horns upon deer or elk, and all have been reported to be solid black in color.

The manes of the Yan-Tak do not stop at the base of the neck like the mane of a common horse, but instead extend down to the base of their tail much like a ridge. All have been reported to be very thick and long, and usually of one unified color. The only exception to this has been those whom have a paint coloration, on which the ruff-mane, beard, standard mane, and even the tail, can have spots of color.

The tail of the Yan-Tak is very unique and reportedly nothing at all like the tail of a normal horse. Their tails are sinuous, long and "lion or dragon-like" with thick fur of the same color/pattern as the standard mane, coming from the undersides only and ending in a long haired "tuff" at it's end. There is never any hair on the upper side of the tail.

Yan-Taks were so named because all whom claim to see them appear to be in a dream-like or sleepy state, and quite literally speaking of them is like talking while yawning. Though many have reported having encounters with this creature, none have ever been captured, nor any physical evidence recovered from the sight of the supposed meeting, however, almost all witnesses who claim to have seen the beast, say that they can somehow "feel the age" of the animals and all have been described as "ancient" or otherwise of an otherworldly status. An interesting fact to note, would be most reports also claim that the animal appears to be a "messenger" of some kind, however there is no concrete basis for this assumption.

___~*~___

Well...there you are guys. Met my Yan-Tak Unicorns. :heart:

Yes, I had a dream with one of them not to long ago, and they have been floating around in my head ever since, so when :devShePaintsWithBlood: asked me if I would be interested in joining her "Unique Equines" contest, I jumped on the chance to finally bring them to light, so to speak.

These guys mean a lot to me, and I even know the name of the one I saw. His name was Naka-Yan-Tano, a very musical and beautiful name. It seemed to speak a broken Gaelic, possibly something older then Manx. I wasn't able to hear everything he said, or understand it, it obviously wasn't the creatures native tongue. What I did hear was something that sounded like "saobhaidh"...which would be a term used in Scottish Gaelic, meaning "a fox's den" or "den of the wildbeast" which in common dialog then, "wildbeast" often referred to fox.

So apparently, Naka-yan-tano is searching for a fox that is somehow, through knowledge or other, linked to me.

...don't look at me...I have no idea...I'm just the messenger...of, the messengers...

Anyway...heh...I don't usually draw equines, so please forgive this horrid anatomy...but I did put heart, soul, and a disturbing amount of time into this, so please comment if you +fav.

If anyone wants to do fan arts of these guys...please get permission from me first! Like to keep track of them...we all know how many people out there have sticky fingers and like to try and steal others designs...boo on them...

LEGAL INFO:
Yan-Tak Unicorns are a legally protected and Copyrighted creation belonging to Shauna "Silverwolf" McKean. Name, species, image and writing are NOT to be reused, borrowed, role-played, copied, traced, or redistributed in any fashion, which includes uploading to any other site, without express written permission from the Copyright owner. If you think this image or species is being used without permission, please contact legal owner at: ancientscars777[at]gmail.com